Yes

by Christyl Rivers

Created on: February 08, 2011   Last Updated: September 24, 2011

The west has legitimate concerns about the recent turmoil in Egypt, and other Muslim nations.  Because the west has spent nearly ten years in an unceasing “war on terror,” many are naturally afraid because they equate Islam with terrorism.

If the western nations are able to realize that it is most every citizen, not just “jihadists” that are calling for reform and the immediate end to what is seen as oppression and corruption, real democracy may gain a foothold in the long troubled region.

It would not be a bloodless peace.  Peace in the Middle East sounds like something most of us have never witnessed in our entire lives.  But if secular states and reason can make dramatic inroads into some reforms, an uneasy, but possible peace could ultimately win out.  This is new, young, socially networking and empowered people who began the uprising. Most want, not just a better deal, they want to create a better world.

Elsewhere, many are afraid that it will be impossible to remove the passion of those willing to die for their religion. It must be remembered that most people are not extremists.  It is precisely because these squeaky (and exploding) wheels have gotten most of the attention for far too long, that everyday people are fed up and taking their case to the world.

The old patriarchal ways are slow to change.  Yet, they do change.  Women and oppressed minorities, if you look at the long view of history, have made greater overall gains in education, marriage choices, as well as career and education.  Even what to wear, and how to behave in public, have become more liberal.  We hear mostly bad news about such things as honor killings, but it should be observed that most nations who are predominately Muslim do NOT enforce intolerant codes as easily as they once did.  There are many millions of devout Muslims who do not wear the veil, for example, much less the infamous “bee keeper suit,” as some derisively call them in the west.

A great many people are also quite concerned about the Israel question. Will the democracy fever set the area ablaze with rekindled flames against Israel.  Won't the whole region be thrust into chaos and mayhem?

Again, not if the “revolution” is kept in the hands, hearts, and minds of the people, and for the people, to borrow a western phrase.

At the end of the day, a people’s revolt can remain in the hands of real people, not extremists, and each nation is entitled to find their true path and will take it more courageously if not enforced from an outside, or inner regime.

The important role for the rest of the world is to be vigilant, concerned, but not invasive and over reactive.

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